Chapter 52: The Dragon’s Rival

Within half a day, the entire Capital was filled with rumors about achieving eternity by transforming into the Imperial Destiny. Though no one understood what it meant, it was clear that someone was deliberately spreading it behind the scenes. Otherwise, how could it spread everywhere in just half a day?

“That bastard! How dare he do this? He really is…” Crown Prince Wang Fu swept everything off the table and smashed several porcelain items before stopping, panting slightly.

“But it’s good that he died. It’s good he’s dead.” Wang Fu looked at the mess on the floor, sat in his chair, and breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Emperor lived forever, then he, the Crown Prince, would never ascend the throne.

Not many knew about Emperor Li’s practice of Nurturing Spirit to Enter the Dao in pursuit of immortality. Aside from the highest-ranking nobles, only he, the Crown Prince, and a few favored princes and princesses were aware. Everyone kept it tightly under wraps, never intending to reveal it.

As for whether it was true or not?

Wang Fu knew it was definitely true. He had consumed the Spiritual/Magical Items given by Emperor Li as nourishment. After eating them, he felt incredibly comfortable, as if all his old ailments had vanished.

In his eyes, even without Nurturing Spirit to Enter the Dao, just by consuming these Spiritual/Magical Items daily, Emperor Li might outlive all his children.

So, he took a risk and ordered the Eunuch Official he had placed near Emperor Li to assassinate him.

But now there was a small problem: the Eunuch Official he had planted hadn’t even had time to act before someone else beat him to it. His original plan was to carry out the assassination in the palace.

The Eunuch Official had reported the whole incident to him via a secret letter, so he naturally learned the full story, including the current rumor about achieving eternity by transforming into the Imperial Destiny. This rumor was spread by Wang Li to save his own life.

If Wang Li had only done this much, Wang Fu would have at most sent him away from the Capital to live as a wealthy prince, considering he was his uncle and had served the Great Immortal. But it seemed Wang Li had done more in secret, especially in his refusal to let go of the Great Immortal.

In Wang Fu’s eyes, the throne was surely his. With the Emperor dead and no decree, his ascension as Crown Prince was certain. Moreover, what truly tempted him now was not the throne, but Immortality.

Besides, with the support of the Great Immortal, why fear an unstable throne?

“Your Highness, someone from the Imperial Clan Court is here. They request your presence at the Hall of Supreme Harmony for a discussion.” Outside the door, the Eastern Palace steward spoke only after hearing Wang Fu’s commotion cease.

Hearing this, Wang Fu’s face lit up with joy.

A discussion? What else could it be about but his ascension?

“Prepare the sedan. I will enter the palace immediately.” Wang Fu didn’t think much of it. After straightening his clothes, he left with his guards.

Wang Fu kept adjusting his mindset. He was happy inside, but he couldn’t show it.

Although Dali did not rule with filial piety as the core virtue, they still had to maintain appearances.

Three hundred meters from the Eastern Palace, servants carried the sedan, surrounded by guards. The defense was extremely tight.

The leading official from the Imperial Clan Court had a shifting gaze, constantly scanning the streets. Suddenly, he saw a window on a building along the street creak open.

Then, similar faint sounds arose one after another. Seeing this, the official leaped from his horse, tumbling somewhat awkwardly into a shop by the street.

The guards and servants hadn’t yet realized what was happening when they heard the whistling sound of crossbow bolts.

These guards were strong and capable, but since they were in the Capital and rarely faced danger while escorting the Crown Prince, their combat experience was lacking.

Bolts pierced their bodies one after another. They had no chance to resist and were turned into human pincushions by the volley of bolts.

Crown Prince Wang Fu inside the sedan was also affected, though the first wave wasn’t aimed at him, so his injuries weren’t severe.

Even so, he was terrified.

In his panic, he seized the moment to rush out of the sedan, trying to find cover.

But fate was against him. The moment he emerged, before he could find shelter, a swarm of crossbow bolts shot toward him. Under the hail of bolts, his body became a pincushion.

Excruciating pain erupted instantly. Wang Fu staggered and collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from the numerous bolt wounds covering his body.

“I… am not willing… I… am not willing…” Wang Fu kept spitting bloody foam from his mouth before he died, filled with hatred.

After confirming Wang Fu’s death, the attackers and the Imperial Clan Court official quickly withdrew, heading toward another influential prince.

…

“Yi’er, I never realized you were so deep. It seems I underestimated you, my nephew.” Wang Li was drinking tea in the Third Prince’s residence.

Third Prince Wang Yi gave a light laugh. “I don’t deserve such praise. You, Uncle, are the impressive one. The moment I acted, you came knocking. That’s no small feat.”

Wang Li’s expression turned cold. “It seems you had it all planned out.”

“Uncle, you’re being too formal. How can you call it ‘planned’? I did this for your own good, didn’t I?” Wang Yi said.

Hearing this, Wang Li suddenly broke into a smile. “Of course. After all, my wife is your mother’s younger sister, your aunt. I suppose the matter of Immortal Fuyao was also leaked to you by your aunt. She truly dotes on you.”

Wang Yi showed no reaction to Wang Li’s words. Instead, he poured him another cup of tea. “You’re right, Uncle. Since my aunt married into your household and had no children of her own, she treated me, her nephew, as her own son. But you had some intentions too, didn’t you?”

“Perhaps. But by my estimate, the Crown Prince should already be dead.” Wang Li picked up the hot tea and drank it in one gulp, causing Wang Yi to freeze. He hadn’t expected the other to know.

“You’re still too green. You, the Third Prince, have no power or influence. Aside from your aunt becoming my wife, your maternal family holds little sway. To seize the throne and gain Immortality, you must be ruthless and patient. You did well in that regard, but you made one mistake.”

“You thought you were the only clever one in the world.”

Hearing this, Wang Yi couldn’t quite grasp Wang Li’s intentions.

“Better inflict some injuries on yourself. I’ll handle the rest for you. After all, we are closer.” Wang Li set down his teacup and said.

Wang Yi felt reassured and immediately replied, “Then I thank you, Uncle.”

Clearly, he knew Wang Li had seen through his ruthlessness. If Wang Yi could kill the Crown Prince, he would certainly kill other princes to pave his way.

And now, he was the only heir left.